MomDot is excited to introduce you to The Cupcakes Club, an adorable Web site that is wholesome and girl-friendly, with a sweet center bursting with fun and games, contests, advice and regular updates on whatʼs happening to the girls from The Cupcakes Club book series.

1. Congrats on being featured on MomDot! Why don’t you start by introducing yourself to our readers!

Thank you for featuring The Cupcakes Club! My name is Donna Benson and I am lucky enough to spend my day being a “superhero” to kids– an elementary school reading teacher! I love to be around kids and the energy they bring each day…it’s contagious!

2. Where did the idea originate for The Cupcakes Club?

I knew I wanted to write short and sweet stories for girls. I wanted to add a “sprinkle” of morals and a “dash” of values but still have books that were hip, fashionable and fun. “Cupcakes” was a perfect name! It’s confusing growing up today and I hope The Cupcakes Club can encourage our young girls to keep being “girls with all the right ingredients..”

3. We noticed on your site that there are several blogs for the characters. How hard is it maintaining multiple blogs?

It’s actually pretty easy. My daughter (Audrey; 24 years old) is the writer behind our advice column, “Ask Audrey”. I handle the Cupcakes Character blog where members keep up with what’s happening to the girls from The Cupcakes Club and I also write our “Every Girl Is a Cupcake” blog where I post about fashion, current events, and giveaways for lots of Cupcake-a-licious goodies. I recently hired a college student with aspirations of writing children’s books to assist with Sierra, Jessica, Valentina, Ashley and Summer on their “personal” blogs- where each character brings their interests and activities to the Web site.

4. Where do you get the ideas for your books?

Being at school for nine months out of the year gives me a wealth of information for books now and into the far future! I may take one moment from the lunchroom and turn it into a chapter for a book.

5. Are there other girl-friendly sites or blogs you can recommend for our readers?

I’m all for promoting other wholesome sites that parents can trust. Web sites that encourage reaching for your dreams and inspiring kids can only make our future stronger. American Girls is a great one for a tween age while Beacon Street Girls reaches the young teenage girl and both share the goal of allowing girls to enjoy and embrace their girlhood.

6.  Can you give the MomDot readers a “sneak peek” into what’s coming up next for The Cupcakes Club?

I’m glad you asked! In October, the third book of the series, “Spotlight on The Cupcakes”, will be released and there will be a new character added to The Cupcakes Club. We will have a half dozen Cupcakes when “Jada” arrives from London to Windsong Middle School.

CONTEST

The Cupcakes Club, along with MomDot, is giving away a 10K Gold, Diamond Cupcake necklace ($250 retail) to a lucky contest winner by simply signing up for a free membership at The Cupcakes Club and returning to comment on this contest.

This delightful pendant will be a delicious sweet sight shining at your neckline. Red, blue and yellow diamond accents decorate a miniature 10k yellow gold cupcake charm. So, sign up for free membership at The Cupcakes Club and come back to let us know!

To Gain Additional Entries to win this Amazing Necklace:

1) You can gain 5 extra entries by Blogging about this including links directly to The Cupcake Club and back to MomDot, please put all entries in SEPARATE COMMENTS

2) One for DIGG, KIRSTY, and/or STUMBLE UPON this post, also for her site

That’s a chance of 11 EXTRA ENTRIES!We do find that the majority of our winners come from EXTRA entries, not originals, so its a great idea to do them if you have time.

Contest ends on Sept 26th via Random.org. Winner will be announced within 24 hours of contest ending.

Interviewed by MomDot Feature Writer Christy aka The Write Gal.